LOWFC PREVIEW: AFC Wimbledon (H)

The O’s women’s team are preparing to welcome AFC Wimbledon Ladies to Mile End Stadium in the FA Women’s National League this Wednesday evening.

Orient, who were without a game on Sunday, come into the match sitting fifth in South East Division One with seven points from 15 available. (W2 D1 L2)

In their last outing, the O’s travelled to face Cambridge City Ladies & Girls in the SSE Women’s FA Cup Second Round of Qualifying on 23rd September.

A frantic nine-goal thriller saw City emerge 5-4 winners with Bella Simmons netting the decisive goal in the final minute of normal time.

Chris Brayford’s side will need to put this disappointment behind them, focusing instead on returning to winning ways with two league games to play this week.

Our Opponents:

AFC Wimbledon Ladies arrive in East London sitting eighth in the division with five points from 15 available. (W1 D2 L2)

In their last league match on 16th September, the Dons took a share of the spoils after a 1-1 draw at home to Ipswich Town Ladies.

However, they were in FA Women’s National League Cup action on Sunday winning 4-0 against Buckland Athletic Ladies. Bernice Tully and Laura Quinn-Low put the Dons 2-0 up at half time before Jenny Nagle and Georgia Heasman netted in the second half.

After a mixed start to the campaign, Wimbledon will look to take confidence from that match and push for their second league victory of the season.

Key Players:

Orient midfielder Lisa Holmback has struggled with a combination of injury and illness since the beginning of the season. However, she netted the opening goal in her first start of the season against Cambridge City in the FA Cup last time out. Holmback is an energetic central midfielder with exceptional work rate. She is effective in attack, disciplined in defence, with an ability to read the game and break up play to good effect.

AFC Wimbledon’s Jenny Nagle has started the Dons previous two games which have come in the FA and FA Women’s National League Cups. Having scored in their previous outing, Nagle will be pushing for a starting place against the O’s on Wednesday night.

A Look at the Stats:

Orient are without a win at Mile End this season having fallen to defeat against both Cambridge United and Billericay Town.

The O’s scored just once in those two games whilst conceding six in the process.

However, they have found the net in six of their seven games in all competitions this season.

AFC Wimbledon have taken three points from nine available on the road in the league this season. (W1 L2)

The Dons have scored in seven of their eight matches in all competitions.

They have kept two clean sheets in their previous two matches.

Previous Encounters:

Last season, the O’s faced AFC Wimbledon on a freezing cold afternoon at Gander Green Lane on December 10th. Unfortunately for Orient, it was a miserable day in the snow as goals from Katie Stanley, Jordanne Hoesli Atkins and Kelly-Jade Whelan saw the Dons emerge 3-0 victors.

For the reverse fixture, Orient hosted AFC Wimbledon at Mayesbrook Park on 15th April. They earnt a hard-fought 2-1 victory with Lisa Fulgence netting a quick-fire first half brace to celebrate her debut for the club.

Pre-Match Thoughts:

Ahead of the game, midfielder Chloe McNee commented on the time that has passed since their last fixture:

“Normally I would say it’s frustrating to have longer breaks, however in this case where results haven’t been going our way I feel it is good for us as a team to recover, recap and evaluate the rest of the season in order to move forward positively. It’s important we keep our momentum and not lose confidence.”

McNee spoke freely about how the team are working towards achieving greater consistency in their results:

“It’s been a trying start to the season, frustrated is probably the best word to describe the emotions of the players at the minute. As a team we have been playing some fantastic football and have a lot of positives to take from most of our matches. The start of the season is always more difficult, getting used to playing together with a few new players joining the club and returning players.

“Together as a team we have taken our strengths and weaknesses from each match and focused on what we believe could be improved, working on our fitness within and outside of training and being more clinical all over the pitch.

“We are keen to perform more consistently and get back to winning ways. With great support from Chris and all the girls, we are meeting on a more regular basis and will be working with our video analysis so together we can highlight where improvement is needed.

“In training we are working on our basic fundamentals to perfect them and regain our confidence. I have no doubt that the only way is up from here, we are a great side with talented players. Team work makes the dream work.”

Coming to the Game?

If you can, please come down and show your support for the O’s this week. The match will take place this Wednesday 3rd October at Mile End Stadium, Burdett Road, London, E3 4HL with kick-off at 19:45.